The British Council’s Accelerating English Language Learning in Central Asia (AELLCA) programme is a transformative initiative designed to enhance English language teacher education and professional development across five Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Through the programme, we work with local governments and partners in all five countries as part of their efforts to improve education quality and inclusivity locally and across the region.
Programme objectives
Funded by the UK government through UK International Development, AELLCA is part of the Accelerating Education Attainment for Resilience – Central Asia (AEAR-CA) programme. This initiative strengthens education systems with a focus on teacher competency, quality assurance and English language development, in line with the national education reform priorities of all five countries.
By integrating UK expertise with local insights, the British Council is fostering significant advancements in teaching practices and student outcomes.
Why English proficiency matters
Governments in all five countries recognise the critical role of English proficiency in fostering economic and social development. AELLCA addresses this priority by modernising teaching curricula, introducing innovative methodologies and providing ongoing professional development for teachers. These efforts contribute to more inclusive and higher-quality education systems across the region.
Programme activities
AELLCA includes a range of initiatives designed to transform English language education:
- Online trainer training course: The Assured Certificate in Teacher Education (ACTE), awarded by City and Guilds, is delivered to pre-service and in-service educators, building a network of English Language Teaching (ELT) professionals across Central Asia.
- English and inclusion accelerator scheme: Seven collaborative partnerships between UK and Central Asian higher education institutions are being established to advance English teacher education, creating sustainable and scalable solutions for the future.
- Regional scoping studies: In Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, a scoping study conducted with UK consultants NILE is mapping current CPD practices and providing actionable recommendations for establishing teacher-led, needs-driven CPD cultures within schools.
- Study visits to the UK: Participants from Central Asia will have the opportunity to visit the UK, together with participants from the other programme countries, to gain insights into effective school-based Continuing Professional Development (CPD) practices, fostering knowledge exchange and capacity building.